Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-06-15
GREEKS IN TURKEY.
How They Celebrate Christmas at tho
Russian Embassy at ConstantinopIe.

Z
Russian Embassy at Constantinople.
The Greeks of Constantinople form
one great part of the population and
are scattered from the Black Sea to the
Sea of Marmora. Hated as sincerely
now by the Turks as they were of old,
they are down-trodden people, and
dare not say to Turk that their souls
are their own. Yet among themselves,
even after all these years of oppression,
they hold up their heads and declare
that they are the rightful owners of
this beautiful city. They keep much
to themselves and observe many DAYS
peculiar to their own religion. They
still count time by the old style, and
thus their Christmas comes on
the 9Th of January. A party of
us happened to be in Pera on that
day, and so we took advan-
tage of the occasion to visit the Russian
Embassy, where Greek service is held
in the chapel. This is quite a small
part of t he large building, but it is very
pretty with its frescoed ceiling, walls
hung with sacred pictures, and the
polished inlaid floor covered partly
with Turkish rugs. The congregation
all stand, and SO no seats relieve the
emptiness of the room. The men all
occupy one side and the women the
other. They stand according to their
rank in society, there being slightly
elevated part for the ambassador and
his family, and one also on the ladies'
side for the highest in position. Back
of these stand the others in groups,
and near the door are the poorest of
all. This method is not peculiar to the
Greeks. Among all the nations here,
with but few exceptions, the question
OF rank is momentous one, and one
that the majority take as a settled fact,
so that the cook always remains a cook,
and the Pasha a Pasha, though the for
mer may become learned and the latter
be nothing but puff ball.
The orthodox Greek Church preten DIS
to be very different from the Catholic,
but to us their forms seem much the
same. Four priests in black surplices
and with flowing hair, lead in singing.
Their chanting was the finest music
we have heard while here. The two
head priests were robed in embroidered
cloth of gold, and as. with stately
tread, their majestic figures passed in
in and out before the people, it seemed
that their gray boards demanded the
respect paid the m. The altar and
rhnI 10 FRO IF fbn aoA
mass of gilt and gold, and this showed
forth especially brilliant when the nu-
merous large candles were ligh ted. At
one such time the priest came forward
with an ''Ikon," or picture of the
Virgin and Child, which all worship.
One of these is hanging in every home,
and prayer is offered before it daily.
1t is often a picture of some of the
saints. The elevation of the host
seems to be the most solemn part of
the service. Both priests came for
ward, each carrying richly
jeweled crown. One held it over his
head while the other slowly raised his
to the same position. Not word was
said, but all present bowed in rever-
ence. Very few had prayer books,
and many suppose did net understand
the service at all. All crossed them
selves many times, and bowed even to
the floor, though there seemed to be no
regularity about it.
The priests moved about mysterious
ly in their inner room, that seemed full
of affairs and stands of gold. Doors of
gilded work separate the two apart
ments, and over them is fine painting
OF the Last Supper" while on either
side are pictures of the shepherds,
the Disciples, the Virgin and the
"Saviour." The service became quite |
after an hour or two, for |
we could not understand the words of
the priest as he reeited or chanted his |
lessons, and his movements in and out |
seemed much the same. The people !
who attend this chapel are, for the
most part, handsomely dressed and !
look very intelligent, but of course they /
the best of the REssion society.
On this, their Christmas day, every
thing appears at its brightest and best. |
The streets were full of gay companies,
and the shop windows were very attrac- |
tive with the display of toys, etc.-Cor.
San Francisco Chronicle.
An Adventurous Journey.